Now for some Heart-warming News!

After the last few weeks covering the earthquake in Yushu and all we will be doing with the orphanage there, it's good to share some wonderful news about Shanna, a child who has left our Xining Children's Home and is now ecstatically happy and settled. Her parents now want to thank YOU for what you did for the little deaf girl we once called Shan Shan...

Yes, it was to Shan Shan, that we were somewhat miraculously able to give TWO cochlear implants, thanks to your generosity.  And then Shan Shan received loving adoptive parents, Americans Leslie and Mark Hussey.  Here's part of Leslie‘s last letter to us and to you:

We feel as if Shanna has been with us forever. Everyday, Mark and I gaze at our two adopted kids, Trent and Shanna, and look at each other and we feel complete and blessed.  One of the things we noticed when we first met Shanna is that she is a very observant child and picks up things quickly because of how she studies everything and everybody around her, her brother especially.  Shanna adores Trent, and copies everything he does which is not always a good thing!  In the afternoons she impatiently waits for his orange school bus to pull up to our house.  Shanna showed us she really understood the concept of taking turns when she told us, "School, my turn!"

Because we are a deaf family, Shanna is now able to use sign language to ask for help, describe objects, express her feelings and ask questions – quite a feat for a child who had limited communication and language abilities a year ago.

The school Shanna is attending is one of the best schools for the deaf in the United States.  There are several kids with cochlear implants at the school and they have highly qualified people ready to work with Shanna to develop her language skills. It is our intention to give Shanna the best of both worlds - the deaf and hearing worlds - and this means giving her opportunities to build skills in sign language, reading, writing and speech so that she would be able to access both worlds.

We feel we are able to make progress with Shanna because she received good care as she waited for us.  We want to thank Christian Action and all of Shanna's wonderful supporters for everything you have done for our daughter. Never before have we personally witnessed the same kind of dedication and love Shanna received from Christian Action and all of her supporters. We thank you with our whole hearts and we know the only thing we can give in return would be to continue the wonderful work you have started with Shanna.  Thank you!

I'm sure you're as encouraged as I am by Shanna's progress - so let's keep up the good work together!

God bless you!